A political storm has erupted in Maharashtra following the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan at his residence. The incident has triggered criticism from opposition leaders who are accusing the state government of failing to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. Reacting to the situation, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar assured that the state government is actively working to maintain law and order across the state. "Our efforts are to ensure law and order remains intact in every corner of the state," said Pawar, adding that a thorough investigation is underway to determine whether the assailant's intention was theft or something else. He also referred to the ongoing checks of CCTV footage to gather more clarity on the motive behind the attack. Speaking to the media, Pawar further mentioned, "While we have been asked about the attack on Saif Ali Khan, some of you have reported different stories without full information. We are examining the situation thoroughly, including CCTV footage, and are investigating whether the accused had planned a theft or had other motives." He also emphasized that both he and Devendra Fadnavis are committed to ensuring the safety of every part of the state. On Friday, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Member of Parliament Supriya Sule condemned the attack, describing it as "extremely worrying." Sule stated that the rise in crime in Maharashtra is a concerning trend, highlighting that the actor’s family is traumatised by the incident. "The family is terrified, and Saif Ali Khan has received stitches. He is stable, and I spoke with the Mumbai Commissioner. He assured that the entire police force is on the job and the attacker will be apprehended soon," she added. Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel expressed concerns about the safety of Mumbai, pointing out that the attacker managed to reach the 11th floor of a residential building. "If an attacker can make it to the 11th floor of a high-rise to assault a well-known actor, it signifies that Mumbai is no longer a safe place for anyone," Baghel remarked. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also criticised the BJP-led state government for the attack, questioning how safe the general public is when even celebrities like Saif Ali Khan are targeted. Raut linked the attack to the growing concerns about law and order in the state, particularly in slum areas, suggesting that such incidents go unnoticed unless they involve a celebrity. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch has launched a massive manhunt for the assailant, forming 20 teams to track down the culprit. To aid in the investigation, the police have begun questioning people found loitering around the city at night. The authorities are also interrogating individuals already known to the police. In a bid to make swift progress, the police are showing CCTV footage of the suspected attacker during these inquiries. Over 15 people have already been questioned in connection with the case. As per ANI reports, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan's wife, recorded her statement with the Bandra Police on Friday evening, regarding the attack on her husband. More than 30 statements have been recorded so far, including those of staff members who were initially summoned but later released. CCTV footage from the Bandra area has been seized, and three persons of interest are currently being questioned, although no arrests have been made so far. The attack took place on Thursday morning when an intruder allegedly confronted the actor’s maid at his Bandra flat. Saif intervened, which led to a violent confrontation, and the actor suffered multiple stab wounds. Saif underwent surgery at Lilavati Hospital to remove a knife lodged in his spine. Doctors confirmed that the injury to his thoracic spinal cord was significant, but Saif’s condition is reported to be stable. He is currently being monitored closely as he recovers. (With inputs from ANI)
18 January,2025 01:04 PM IST | MumbaiMumbai is set to experience pleasant weather today, January 18, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting mainly clear skies. The city is likely to enjoy light, breezy winds blowing at a speed of around 10 km/h, while humidity levels are expected to remain at 45%. As the weekend nears, Mumbaikars can look forward to a comfortable day. Mumbai weather update The IMD forecasts that the temperature today will range between 19°C and 33°C, providing a relatively warm and sunny day. Sunrise is expected at 7:14 AM, while sunset will occur at 6:21 PM. On January 19, the weather is expected to remain similarly clear, with temperatures slightly rising to 20°C at the lowest and 33°C at the highest. Mumbai AQI today Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) today stands at 127, which falls under the 'moderate' category. This is an improvement compared to recent months when pollution levels were higher. While the air quality is better, those with respiratory conditions are advised to reduce outdoor exposure and wear masks for safety. AQI in different Mumbai areas The AQI varies across the city, with most areas reporting moderate air quality. Here are some of today’s AQI readings: Dockyard: 147 (Moderate)Siddharth Nagar, Worli: 144 (Moderate)Chembur: 116 (Moderate)Lower Parel: 148 (Moderate)Malad West: 172 (Poor)Chhatrapati Shivaji Intl. Airport (T2): 151 (Moderate)Shivaji Nagar: 71 (Satisfactory) Understanding AQI The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a simple way of presenting air quality to the public. The AQI scale ranges as follows: 0-50: Good51-100: Satisfactory101-200: Moderate201-300: Poor301-400: Very Poor401-500: Severe The AQI measures specific pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). However, not all monitoring stations track every pollutant. Overall, Mumbai is experiencing clear skies and moderate air quality today. While the weather promises a comfortable day, residents in areas with higher AQI are encouraged to take precautions, especially those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
18 January,2025 12:44 PM IST | MumbaiThe Dindoshi police have busted a blackmailing gang involving female members who allegedly lured men through social media and dating platforms. The women befriended their targets, arranged meetings at pre-decided locations, and then involved other gang members posing as fake police officers and journalists to stage a raid. They threatened the victims with arrest and public exposure, coercing them into paying large sums to “resolve” fabricated charges. The police have arrested two suspects, Ruksar Shaikh, 24, a Malwani resident, and Iqbal Khan, 35, a Kandivli resident. However, two other accused, including a woman, remain at large, and the police are actively searching for them. A 20-year-old student from Airoli was the gang’s most recent victim. The accused blackmailed him into transferring Rs 99,000 online and handing over a gold chain. After the incident, the victim filed a complaint at the Dindoshi police station on January 14. Acting swiftly, the police arrested Ruksar a day later and apprehended Iqbal on Friday. Investigators found that the victim’s money had been transferred to Ruksar’s GPay account. Gang’s modus operandi During questioning, the arrested suspects disclosed the gang’s methods: >> Female members would connect with men via social media and dating apps, offering sexual favours for R20,000 to R25,000. >> They used video calls featuring other attractive women to lure victims into meetings. >> At the meeting spot, the woman would get into a car with the victim, often accompanied by a driver. >> Inside the car, they accused the victim of being involved in a sex racket. >> Other gang members posing as police officers or journalists would then threaten arrest and public exposure, pressuring the victims to pay cash, transfer money, or hand over valuables. Details of the case “In this incident, the absconding female accused contacted the victim on a dating app using the name ‘Frank’. She offered sexual favours for R25,000 and exchanged numbers. A video call featuring another woman’s face was used to convince the victim. The victim was asked to meet her near Oberoi Mall in Goregaon East. When he arrived, he was instructed to enter an Ertiga car, where the woman was seated. Realising she did not match the person in the video call, the victim became suspicious. The car drove towards Vanrai police station,” said an officer. Inside the car, the woman and driver accused the victim of running a sex racket and claimed to be journalists conducting a sting operation. Soon, others posing as police officers joined in, threatening him with arrest. Under pressure, the victim handed over his gold chain and transferred R99,000. When they demanded an additional R4 lakh, he called his father, who immediately lodged a complaint at Rabale police station. The police intervened, causing the gang to flee and abandon the victim. Based on the complaint, the police traced Ruksar through her GPay account and confirmed she was the woman whose face appeared on the video call. After her arrest, Iqbal was also taken into custody. Ongoing investigation The police are now searching for the remaining accused, including the woman who posed as “Frank” and Rohit Tak, who impersonated a journalist during the scam. Efforts are underway to track and apprehend them. Another victim surfaces Another victim has approached the police, reporting a similar scam. The police are investigating whether this incident is connected to the same gang or another group, said an officer from the Dindoshi police station.
18 January,2025 12:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanForty-eight hours after the brutal attack on actor Saif Ali Khan, numerous unanswered questions have surfaced regarding his building’s security system and the law and order situation in the city. Social media is abuzz with questions about how the attacker managed to infiltrate the high-profile residential building and why such a severe lapse in security had gone unnoticed. Mumbai police officers remain tight-lipped on the matter, with no substantial updates being shared, as the attacker is yet to be arrested. Actor Saif Ali Khan This silence is only fuelling further speculation and frustration among the public, who are eager for clarity on how the attack occurred and what measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. Question 1 How did the attacker manage to sneak into the residential building Satguru Sharan, where actor Saif Ali Khan lives with his family? Were potential major security lapses not addressed by the housing society? If the building is supposed to have stringent security protocols, including access control systems, guards and surveillance cameras, a question arises as to how the attacker managed to bypass these measures without being noticed. The failure to prevent the attacker from entering the premises points to potential flaws in the building’s security arrangements. Were the security personnel negligent or improperly trained? Were the security systems—such as CCTV cameras or intercoms—malfunctioning or poorly monitored? In high-profile residential complexes, it is the responsibility of the housing society to ensure the safety of its residents, particularly those who may be at greater risk due to their public status. Media persons throng Bandra police station after the detention of a suspect in the case on Friday. Pic/Satej Shinde Question 2 Why did it take the members of Saif Ali Khan’s staff a long time to deal with the threat? It is concerning that those present at the scene were unable to act swiftly enough to prevent the situation from escalating. There could be several factors at play, such as a lack of proper training in handling emergencies, the element of surprise or perhaps confusion during the initial moments of the attack. Additionally, the absence of immediate security backup—whether from building guards or external police support—could have contributed to the delay. The attacker was given ample time to carry out his assault, which further questions the adequacy of security measures in place and the preparedness of those present in the building. This delay in action highlights a significant gap in the security protocols and response strategies, not just within the building but also in terms of how quickly help can be summoned during such emergencies. It’s crucial that both private and public security systems undergo thorough evaluations to ensure that such incidents are prevented or minimised in the future. Crime Branch officials at Satguru Sharan in the wake of the attack. Pic/Anurag Ahire Question 3 What were night patrolling teams of Mumbai Police doing when the attacker was attempting to enter Satguru Sharan? Patrolling teams are supposed to act as a deterrent to crime and be vigilant in monitoring areas with potential risks. The fact that the attacker was able to attempt entry into the building unmolested suggests a lapse in security and oversight. This brings into focus whether the patrolling teams were adequately covering the area or if there were issues with response times, coordination or the overall efficiency of law enforcement. Question 4 Mumbai police claim every corner of the city is closely monitored by an extensive network of CCTV cameras. However, after the attacker left Satguru Sharan, the absence of CCTV footage brings into question the efficacy of the city’s digital surveillance system. Is Mumbai really being monitored as closely as claimed, or is there a gap in the system that allowed such attacks to unfold without proper evidence being captured? Question 5 The detention of a person who resembled the accused in the attack on Saif Ali Khan raises concerns about the investigation process. It appears that the police may have acted hastily, perhaps in an attempt to quickly make progress in the case, by detaining someone based solely on a physical resemblance. This could reflect a rush to produce results rather than a more methodical, evidence-based approach. Detaining an innocent individual based on looks alone could lead to complications in the investigation and damage the credibility of the police. It also highlights the challenges law enforcement faces when under pressure to solve high-profile cases quickly. Instead of relying on visual similarities, investigations must be driven by concrete evidence and proper procedures to ensure the right person is apprehended and justice is served. Why did the cops detain a lookalike? Asked these questions, a senior IPS officer said, “More than 20 teams are working on this case to arrest the accused. This case is our top priority at present to solve it.” Citizens want to know... 1 How did the attacker manage to sneak into the high-profile Satguru Sharan building? 2 Why did it take the members of Saif Ali Khan’s staff such a long time to deal with the threat? 3 What were the Mumbai police’s night patrolling teams doing when the attacker was attempting to enter the building? 4 Is Mumbai really being monitored as closely, as claimed, by CCTV cameras? 5 Why did the cops detain a lookalike in the case?
18 January,2025 12:36 PM IST | Mumbai | Diwakar SharmaThe new year has started on a grim note for wild tigers in India, with 13 reported deaths in the first 16 days of 2025. Maharashtra recorded the highest number at seven deaths, followed by Madhya Pradesh. As per to www.tigernet.nic.in, the official database of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)—a state agency under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change—of the 13 deaths, nine occurred outside tiger reserves, while four were reported within. Madhya Pradesh recorded two deaths, while Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Kerala, and Assam each reported one tiger death. The exact causes are yet to be determined. Wildlife conservationist Kedar Gore from the Corbett Foundation explained that in states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, where tiger populations are high, some deaths due to natural causes are expected. However, he pointed out that at least four tiger deaths in Maharashtra were linked to poaching and human-wildlife conflict. Gore added, “Hopefully, the NTCA and respective forest departments will focus more on timely addressing the reasons leading to negative human-wildlife interactions. Timely release of funds, compensating local communities for human, property, and agricultural losses due to wildlife, and ensuring capacity building of frontline staff to improve vigilance against poaching are crucial. Most unnatural tiger deaths occur in buffer areas, wildlife corridors, and forest divisions adjacent to well-protected tiger reserves.” Sarosh Lodhi, co-founder of the wildlife group Conservation Lenses & Wildlife (CLaW) and a conservation photographer, said, “While authorities are considering introducing birth control measures for tigers, the focus should be on reducing the mortality rate and securing corridors to allow tigers to move freely.”
18 January,2025 12:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavOver 100 flights were delayed and 10 were cancelled due to low visibility conditions in Delhi on Friday. Sources from Mumbai Air Traffic Control told mid-day, “From 4 am, till 3.30 pm, a total of 22 flights arriving to Mumbai from Delhi faced disruptions due to the weather conditions in Delhi. Some of these flights faced a minor delay below 1 hour but certain flights faced a delay beyond 1 hour as well.” According to Delhi ATC sources, “The average delay faced by flights operating to/from Delhi during the morning weather condition was approximately 20 minutes per flight with certain flights facing even 30 minutes to 40 minutes delay.” Delhi airport also confirmed that multiple flights were facing disruptions on Friday morning due to the weather conditions. In a statement, Delhi Airport said, “While landing and take-offs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.” Similarly, IndiGO also released a travel advisory that stated, “Due to foggy conditions in Delhi, low visibility may lead to a change in flight schedules. We request you to stay updated with your flight status before heading to the airport.” Explaining the CAT-III approach, the source said, “CAT-III is a precision instrument landing system (ILS) that allows aircraft to land safely in poor visibility conditions. CAT-III approaches are used in adverse weather conditions like fog, rain, or snow. CAT-III approaches use an automated system to guide the aircraft to the runway. The system also provides voice prompts to the pilot, including when to deploy flaps and apply brakes. There are three types of CAT-III approaches depending on the Runway visual range (RVR) and Decision Height.” The source said, “The instrument landing system (ILS) has three categories namely Category 1, 2 and 3 that are abbreviated as CAT-I, CAT-II and CAT-III. Many aircraft that are ILS equipped are capable of all three approaches and often use them to align the aircraft to the runway to land. that being said, in clear visibility conditions, many pilots prefer hand flying the last 500 feet of the approach but in poor visibility conditions, depending on the visibility, the Pilots can opt for CAT-I, CAT-II or CAT-III approach.” The source added, “CAT-III approaches use radio altimeter (RA) to determine decision height. CAT III operations require an automatic landing system to control the aircraft during the approach and landing. This is because CAT III weather conditions don't provide enough visual references for a manual landing. Pilots are responsible for deciding whether to perform a CAT-III approach, but they may receive advice from air traffic control (ATC) for using CAT-III as well.”
18 January,2025 12:31 PM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariThe Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has officially announced the upcoming election for the selection of nine (9) council members. The election will be conducted as per the provisions of Rule 8 of the Maharashtra Medical Council (First Amendment) Rules, 2002. This election allows registered practitioners to elect representatives from among themselves. Below are the essential details regarding the election process: Nomination process Registered practitioners eligible to fill the seats are invited to submit their nominations. Forms for nomination papers can be obtained from the Registrar, Maharashtra Medical Council, located at Anand Complex, 1st Floor, Sane Guruji Marg, Arthur Road Naka, Chinchpokli (West), Mumbai 400 011. These forms will be available on application during office hours. Completed nomination papers must be submitted no later than 3:00 PM on Tuesday, 18th February 2025. Submissions should be made to the Returning Officer at the office of the Registrar, Maharashtra State Dental Council, 3rd Floor, Govt. Dental College & Hospital, St. George Hospital Compound, Near CSMT Railway Station, Fort, Mumbai 400 001. Scrutiny and withdrawal of nominations The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place at 11:30 AM on Thursday, 27th February 2025, at the C.D.E. Hall, 3rd Floor, Govt. Dental College & Hospital, St. George Hospital Compound, Fort, Mumbai. Candidates wishing to withdraw their nominations may do so by submitting a written notice signed by the candidate. This notice must reach the Returning Officer no later than 3:00 PM on Monday, 3rd March 2025. Election details If the election is contested, the following rules will apply: Voting will be conducted via a secret ballot. Elections will take place at each district headquarters under the supervision of the District Collector on Thursday, 3rd April 2025, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Medical practitioners whose names appear on the electoral roll must vote in person. Practitioners are required to carry their Registration Certificate or Identity Card issued by the Maharashtra Medical Council for verification purposes. This election provides an opportunity for medical professionals to participate actively in the governance of their council, ensuring the representation of their interests and the promotion of medical standards in Maharashtra. For any further details or clarification, practitioners are encouraged to contact the Returning Officer. The notice has been issued by Mrs. Shilpa Kiran Parab, Returning Officer for the Election to the Maharashtra Medical Council, 2025. Dated 17th January 2025.
18 January,2025 12:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA fire broke out on the third floor of Patel Mansion, located on Lamington Road, Topiwala Lane, Grant Road, around 11:27 AM on Thursday, 18 January 2025. According to the information received by the Disaster Management Control Room, the fire was reported by the fire brigade. Patel Mansion is a ground-plus-four structure, and the fire occurred on its third floor. As soon as the incident was reported, personnel from the fire brigade, police, BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport), 108 ambulance services, and divisional staff were promptly dispatched to the location to handle the situation. The fire was classified as a Level 1 incident at 11:28 AM. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported as of now. Efforts to contain the fire are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as the situation develops. Fire breaks out at a godown in Navi Mumbai; no injuries reported A fire broke out at a godown in the Dahisar Mori area of Navi Mumbai in the early hours of Thursday, according to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. No injuries have been reported so far. According to the civic body, the fire broke out at a godown near Khot Bungalow, Mokashi Pada, under the Nagaon Gram Panchayat in Dahisar Mori, Navi Mumbai, at around 12:26 AM. The godown, owned by Mr. Satish Madvi, stored vehicles and spare parts for the Mahindra Company. Local police from Daighar and multiple fire brigade units were immediately dispatched to the scene to combat the blaze, said the civic body. Several fire brigade units across Navi Mumbai were dispatched to tackle the blaze. The firefighters worked for nearly two hours to bring the fire under control, finally containing it by 2:36 AM, said the civic body. However, the fire caused extensive damage to the property, destroying six vehicles, including two commercial four-wheelers and four private four-wheelers. Cooling operations are underway as the fire department ensures the site is fully secure. Further investigations will be conducted to determine the cause of the fire and assess the total damage. Fire at hotel in Thane; cat dies of suffocation A hotel in Maharashtra's Thane city was destroyed in a fire which broke out in the premises on Monday morning, civic officials said. No person was injured in the incident, they said, adding a cat inside the hotel got suffocated to death. The blaze erupted at 6.15 am in the Bombay Duck Hotel located near the Upvan lake, Thane Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi said. Local fire personnel and the regional disaster management cell team rushed to the spot. The blaze was brought under control after about an hour and extinguished by 7.45 am, he said. The hotel's furniture, air conditioners, television sets, computers, bar counter, refrigerators and electrical wiring were completely destroyed, he said. "In the smoke-filled environment, a cat inside the hotel succumbed to asphyxiation," Tadvi said, adding that firefighters later found the carcass on the premises. The cause of the blaze was under investigation, he said.
18 January,2025 12:19 PM IST | MumbaiMaharashtra's Women and Child Development Minister, Aditi Tatkare, announced on Saturday that the process of cross-verifying the beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is currently underway. The verification is being conducted with the assistance of the state’s transport and income-tax departments. In her statement to reporters, Tatkare revealed that complaints about potential bogus beneficiaries of the scheme had led to the scrutiny process. According to the Minister, approximately 4,500 women have applied to opt out of the scheme following these concerns. The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched by the Eknath Shinde-led government in August 2024, aims to provide financial support to women from economically weaker sections of society. The scheme offers a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 to women whose family annual income is below Rs 2.5 lakh. Tatkare further mentioned that cross-verification is being carried out due to complaints alleging that some beneficiaries’ annual income exceeds the prescribed limit of Rs 2.5 lakh. Other complaints include instances where beneficiaries are found to own more than one personal vehicle, are employed in government jobs, or have relocated to other states after marriage. These issues have raised doubts about the authenticity of the beneficiaries, prompting the ongoing verification process. PTI reports that Tatkare stated that the cross-verification process is not a one-time effort but a continuous procedure, with further investigation being carried out. The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched just ahead of the state assembly elections in 2024 and is believed to have played a significant role in securing the victory of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. The scheme has over 2.43 crore beneficiaries, putting a monthly burden of approximately Rs 3,700 crore on the state exchequer. The minister emphasised that the scrutiny process is crucial to ensure that the scheme's benefits reach the intended beneficiaries, and that the state government is committed to transparency and proper implementation of the scheme. The government plans to address any irregularities detected during the verification and ensure that the funds allocated for the scheme are properly utilised. The verification process will continue until all concerns regarding the eligibility of the beneficiaries are fully addressed.
18 January,2025 12:11 PM IST | MumbaiAutorickshaw driver Bhajan Singh Rana turned out to be a saviour for Saif Ali Khan, rushing him to the hospital when no other driver was available. “I was passing by the building when I suddenly heard someone calling for an auto. A woman walked out of the gate in panic and asked for help. A few minutes later, Saif Ali Khan, along with a few others, came out and sat in my auto. He was wearing a white kurta and was covered in blood,” Rana told mid-day. “He was in pain and asked me to take him to Lilavati Hospital. Two other people, who I think were his sons, sat with him in the auto. Initially, they discussed going to Holy Family Hospital but decided on Lilavati. I took Hill Road and reached the hospital quickly. The hospital staff came out with a stretcher and took him inside,” he added. Rana further shared, “Within minutes, I rushed him to the emergency ward. I didn’t even take money from him. There was bleeding from his neck, hand, and back. After he got down, I cleaned the auto.” Almost two days after the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan, the Bandra police and the Mumbai Crime Branch were yet to apprehend the accused. Officials believe the suspect appears to be a professional thief, judging by his entry and escape from the actor’s Bandra West building, Satguru Sharan. Despite having photographs and CCTV footage, the police have not been able to identify or locate the accused. We have checked our records, but no one matching the suspect’s appearance has been found,” a senior Mumbai Police officer said. With digital evidence yielding no breakthroughs, the police are relying on human intelligence. Multiple dedicated teams are analysing CCTV footage to track the suspect’s route. The cops have learnt that he changed his clothes to evade the police. The police had received information about a person in South Mumbai resembling the accused and the individual was brought to the Bandra police station for questioning. “While the person bore a 99 per cent resemblance to the suspect, a thorough interrogation and review of records revealed he was not the same person, as he was elsewhere at the time of the incident. The person was later released,” a source said. Forensic clues The forensic team that examined Saif’s house recovered multiple fingerprints belonging to the accused. These were checked against police records, but no matches were found. “The manhunt is in full swing. Around 40 teams from the Crime Branch and Bandra police are working on the case. We are also sharing the fingerprints with other state police departments to check if the individual appears in their records,” an officer said. Insights from CCTV footage The police suspect the accused avoided using a mobile phone, as no suspicious activity was found in the tower dump data analysed. CCTV footage from Saif’s building staircase shows the suspect entering at 1.37 am with his face covered and leaving at 2.33 am with his face uncovered. This footage remains the most significant clue the police have so far. Sources revealed that the accused was spotted by a CCTV camera near Link Road in Bandra on the morning of the attack. “Human intelligence has been activated, and we are following up on leads based on the suspect’s appearance in CCTV footage. Several people are being questioned, but the accused seems to be a professional who managed to avoid being captured clearly by most cameras,” an officer said.
18 January,2025 11:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Faizan KhanTo facilitate developers in the Nagpur and Pune regions with the registration of their housing projects under the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA), monthly open houses will now be organised outside the Mumbai headquarters. The first open house is scheduled to take place on January 22 in Nagpur. Despite assistance from experts associated with Self-Regulatory Organisations (SROs), developers often encounter challenges in addressing their queries during the registration process. To resolve these issues, MahaRERA has been conducting open houses every week at its Mumbai headquarters, attended by senior office bearers. During these sessions, doubts and concerns are addressed based on the queries raised, according to a MahaRERA official. In response to requests from developers in Nagpur and Pune, MahaRERA has decided to hold similar open houses in these regions. The initiative will begin with an open session in Nagpur, where officials from the financial, legal, and technical departments will be available to address project registration-related queries. Recently, MahaRERA took a significant step by reducing the minimum project requirement for SROs outside the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) from 500 to 200. This decision is expected to streamline the formation of authorised real estate industry associations across the rest of Maharashtra, ultimately improving the project registration process for developers statewide. As per the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, housing projects cannot be advertised or sold without being registered with RERA. MahaRERA has urged developers to provide complete details and documents when submitting their registration applications to enable faster processing and issuance of MahaRERA registration numbers. Manoj Saunik, chairman of MahaRERA, stated, “The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 unambiguously mentions that any housing project cannot be advertised without being registered with RERA. MahaRERA already has defined the legal, financial and technical framework for issuing a registration number to a housing project. To facilitate registration of a housing project and issuance of MahaRERA number, the queries raised are replied to in-person during the open session held every week at the headquarters in Mumbai. “We will start with this practice, from this month, on a monthly basis in Nagpur and Pune as well. To begin with, we are starting in Nagpur. MahaRERA has been putting in efforts to assist in the project’s registration process. The experience will be seamless, if the applicants fill out the forms completely and furnish the required information.”
18 January,2025 11:14 AM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
